Wasim Akram

Pakistan

Major teamsPakistan,Hampshire,Lahore,Lancashire,Pakistan Automobiles Corporation,Pakistan International Airlines

Batting styleLeft-hand bat

Bowling styleLeft-arm fast

In a nutshellPerhaps the best left-arm fast bowler of all time, Wasim Akram could make the ball walk and talk like no one else did. An explosive, exciting genius who could change the game with the bat as well.
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A dream cricketer. At his best Wasim Akram plays like most of us would wish to. He has complete mastery over swing and seam, and sometimes moves the ball both ways in one delivery. All this comes at high speed from a quick, ball-concealing action, and is backed up by the threat of a dangerous bouncer or deceptive slower delivery. Akram is rated by many as the best left-arm fast bowler of all time, and his career record certainly bears that out - along with the high regard of his contemporaries. He hit like a kicking horse, but batsmanship was one skill in which Akram underachieved, despite a monumental 257 against Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura in 1996-97. He was the natural successor to Imran Khan as Pakistan's leader and captain, but the match-fixing controversies of the 1990s harmed him, blunting his edge and dimming his lustre. Though he reached the 500-wicket landmark in ODIs in the 2003 World Cup, he was among the eight players dumped after Pakistan's miserable performance. He retired shortly after, following a brief spell with Hampshire.
Kamran Abbasi

Over a 19-year international career, he took wickets all over the world, in Tests and ODIs, with a consistency that was mind-boggling

Timeline

November 8, 1984 Storm on debut

On his first-class debut, as an 18-year-old, in Rawalpindi, returns figures of 20.5-6-50-7 against a touring New Zealand line-up including John Wright, Bruce Edgar, John F Reid and the Crowe brothers.

November 23, 1984 Fast-tracked, Pakistan-style

Makes his ODI debut, going for 31 runs in four overs against New Zealand in a match reduced to 20-overs-a-side.

January-February 1985 A natural progression

One more first-class match later, finds himself on the plane to New Zealand for a full tour. Makes his Test debut, and takes 2 for 105 in an innings defeat. Two weeks later, in the Dunedin Test, the genius is announced: Akram's two five-fors in only his second Test overshadow Richard Hadlee's eight-wicket match haul, but can't prevent a two-wicket loss for Pakistan.

First signs that he will go on to end up as perhaps the greatest bowler in ODIs. Takes the wickets of Kepler Wessels, Dean Jones, Allan Border and Kim Hughes in his 5 for 21 to set up a win at the MCG.

1988 Lancashire lion

Starts what will be a hugely successful association with Lancashire. Over the next 10 years, becomes one of the county's most successful overseas players. Fans at games chant "Wasim for England".

October-November, 1989 The Ws come together

The lethal combination of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram is formed. In their first ODI together, Wasim takes 5 for 38 to set up an 11-run win against West Indies. In their first Test innings together, both take four wicket each for about the same number of runs. They would continue competing with each other in same manner, demolishing batting line-ups in the process.

Along with Waqar, rattles England with the then inexplicable phenomenon, reverse-swing. Ball-tampering allegations fly, but there is no video evidence of any wrongdoing. Thirteen years later, when England win the Ashes through reverse-swing, demands an apology for the cheating allegations.

The ball-tampering allegations matter little as Wisden names Akram one of the cricketers of 1992.

January 1993 Captain natural

In a sudden turn of events, is appointed to succeed Javed Miandad as Pakistan's captain. In his first international as captain, scores a quick 38 and concedes 34 runs in 10 overs in a 49-run win over Zimbabwe. Wisden says: "As captain he will be recognised more clearly and more widely as head of state than whichever general or politician holds the nominal office in Islamabad."

March 9, 1996 Captain interrupted

Just before the start of the World Cup quarter-final in Bangalore, pulls out citing an injury. After Pakistan's defeat, there are angry protests outside his home and riots across the country. Match-fixing allegations are thrown around, and a government inquiry is launched. Akram, though, continues leading the side.

An inquiry committee headed by Justice Chudhary Ejaz Yousuf recommends that Akram, Saleem Malik and Ijaz Ahmed not be allowed to play Tests until final conclusions are reached.

September 14, 1998 Enough is enough

With world records in striking distance - 90 short of Kapil Dev's 431 - and still only a 32-year-old, announces his retirement. Says: "I am fed up with the allegations. I have never been charged, never had an opportunity to answer the allegations, never been shown any proof. When I met the members of the board in January, they made no charges against me and it hurts me to give up cricket, but my reputation is more important than glory."

September 21, 1998 Akram 2.0

Within a week, the PCB coaxes him back, and he confirms his availability for the series against Australia and Zimbabwe.

In the Asian Test Championship, a unique multi-nation Test series, takes hat-tricks in back-to-back matches against Sri Lanka, setting up a facile tournament win for Pakistan.

June 20, 1999 Lowest of lows

Pakistan, led by Akram, are the red-hot team going into the 1999 World Cup final, but on the big day a different side turns up, managing only 132 runs. Akram later says, "Losing wasn't so bad, but when we came back to Pakistan, I got called by the National Accountability Bureau. They kept me in Islamabad and questioned me day in and day out… It's hilarious that people can still think that the World Cup final was fixed. That much pride - the money comes afterwards - you can't feel anywhere else. There is no comparison."

May 2000 'Captain should have a spotless character'

The extensive investigation into match-fixing, led by Justice Qayyum, recommends that while the evidence is not conclusive, Akram be removed from the captaincy. "The captain of the national team should have a spotless character and be above suspicion. Wasim Akram seems to be too sullied to hold that office," says the report.

Playing under Moin Khan, with Russel Arnold's wicket in the SSC Test, becomes the only bowler to have taken 400 wickets in both formats of the game. Only three bowlers - Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev and Courtney Walsh - are ahead of him in Tests.

November 29, 2000 A century of Tests

Becomes only the third Pakistani cricketer, after Javed Miandad and Saleem Malik, to play 100 Tests. Says before his 100th, "The 16 years I've had have gone so fast and it's a great honour for me to represent Pakistan for the 100th time at Test level, but it's up to other people to decide and tell me if I've still got it or not."

February-March, 2003 One final fling

Is a sporadic presence in Tests since his 100th. The World Cup in South Africa is the one for the road. And a pretty good one for the road. Is Pakistan's most-successful bowler, and his inspired spell against Australia, during which he takes out Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn in the first 11 overs, is especially remarkable. Also, during their match against Netherlands, becomes the first man to get to 500 ODI wickets.

Announces his retirement, this time for good, saying it is time to look at life after cricket. Has been dropped from the Pakistan side after the World Cup disappointment, and at the age of 37, retirement is a natural progression. Says: "There are no regrets. There have been ups and downs, but I would not have changed it for anything else."

July 15, 2003 Ill health follows

A known diabetic, falls ill during the county season, and has to end his contract with Hampshire.

April 20, 2007 Sharing the knowledge

Agrees to supervise a two-week camp for fast bowlers in Lahore. Says he will continue being a consultant to the pace-bowling academy, supervise more camps; and will also share his knowledge across the border in India.

Akram finds himself bowling in Test matches in New Zealand weeks after having been only an unknown club cricketer who didn't even make his college side. In only his second Test, Akram outshines Richard Hadlee on a seaming pitch. After Pakistan are bowled out cheaply, he takes out the Crowe brothers, John F Reid and Geoff Howarth to secure a 54-run lead. Defending 277 in the last innings, he has New Zealand down at 23 for 4 and 217 for 7, but can't finish off the job, dropping a return catch off Jeremy Coney, who goes on to score a match-winning century. He displays the signs of a fiery bowler, being warned for excessive use of short-pitched bowling in the final stages of the match. Wisden notes: "His line was good, his energy unbounded, and he moved the ball readily off the seam."

5 for 38 v West Indies, Sharjah, 1989-90

Akram's hat-trick - the fourth in ODIs - ends West Indies' challenge when they have the match under control at 209 for 5, chasing 251. Going round the wicket, he hits Jeff Dujon's and Malcolm Marshall's leg stumps, and reverting to over the wicket, he finishes his eighth over by bowling Curtly Ambrose. Carlisle Best and Courtney Walsh add 29 for the last wicket, but Akram's fourth wicket in 13 balls leaves West Indies 11 runs short, with eight balls still to go.

6 for 62 and 5 for 98 v Australia, Melbourne, 1989-90

Before their batting fails collectively, it seems Akram has set this match up for Pakistan by bowling Australia out for 223. He impresses everyone with his pace and movement, achieved off a run of only a dozen paces, and returns his best Test figures. Akram's dismissal of Terry Alderman, finishing off the Australian innings with a spell of 3 for 8 in four overs, is his 100th wicket in his 30th Test match. In the second innings he toils 41.4 overs for a five-for, and with little support from the other end, can't kept Australia from getting to a winning lead. He is the Man of the Match, though.

With some help from mentor Imran Khan, Akram the allrounder saves Pakistan from imminent defeat, even gives them a shot at victory for a while. His lively 68-ball 52 stalls a first-innings collapse, and then the five-for, including three wickets in the last over of Australia's innings, keeps the deficit down to 84. The best, though, is yet to come. With Saleem Malik and Javed Miandad injured, Pakistan are effectively 7 for 5, but the master and protégé play the innings of their lives. Imran's is a model of responsibility and orthodoxy, Wasim's a comparatively carefree exhibition of flair and fine driving. No one else in the match hits the ball with anything like the same power. Imran is able to make a challenging declaration, but Australia, already ahead in the series, take the safe option.

Pakistan are defending champions thanks to a fabled last-ball six from Javed Miandad four years previously. The endgame in this one, if not that famous, is just as breathtaking. Before that, though, there is a small matter of taking 60 runs off the last five overs to set up a target. Akram scores a free-spirited 49 off 35 balls, two of his three sixes come in the final over, both landing in the stands. With almost four overs left, Australia require 37 to win with three wickets in hand, but Akram dashes any hopes with a hat-trick, clean-bowling Merv Hughes, Carl Rackemann and Terry Alderman.

33 and 3 for 49 v England, World Cup final, Melbourne, 1992

The most "fulfilling" moment of Imran Khan's life, the World Cup win is set up by Akram. What they call a whirlwind cameo, even by today's Twenty20 standards - an 18-ball 33 - sets up a total that they defend like the cornered tigers they've come to be known as. The breakthrough moments are provided by Akram. He gets Ian Botham with a sharp lifter, his favourite wicket of all time, in the first spell, and deals knockout blows with the old ball. From round the stumps, bowling at a massive angle, he gets two balls to leave right-handers suddenly, claiming Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis, and the chase is undone. Aaqib Javed, 10-2-27-2 himself, says, "Those two deliveries were unplayable. It was perfect reverse swing. Wasim will remember that unique spell all his life."

A Test where the Ws are not only a lethal bowling combination but also a match-winning batting partnership. Akram takes two in the first innings, and Waqar Younis five to bowl England out for 255, but the batsmen manage only a 38-run lead. In the second innings, Akram is the more destructive bowling parter, taking the last three out for no run. Yet, chasing 138, Pakistan are 62 for 5 when Akram walks out, and soon it becomes 95 for 8. England, brought down by injuries to Ian Botham and Phil DeFreitas, needed an over from Akram or Waqar; what they got was both of them batting for the other side. Each ball revealed unseen good sense and even technique from Akram, and after two hours of resistance came the shot of a proper batsman, the cover-drive on one knee to win the Test.

6 for 67 and 3 for 36 v England, The Oval, 1992

A game billed as The Showdown Test became, instead, a perfect showcase for the awesome fast-bowling talents of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Unaccustomed to reverse-swing, England would go on to make ball-tampering allegations against these destructive and sudden spells. England are 40 minutes into the final session, on 182 for three, when Akram starts and finishes the demolition with a thrilling spell of 5 for 18 in 7.1 overs. In the second innings, he lets Waqar take the front seat, but finishes the match off with a spell of three wickets for one run.

4 for 60 and 7 for 199 v New Zealand, Wellington, 1993-94

This is no irresistible sudden demolition job, it takes perseverance and patience on a true surface where Pakistan's batsmen score 548 for 5 declared. On the first morning of the Test, though, Akram sets the agenda, taking the first wicket before a run is scored and helping bowl New Zealand out for 175. About his seven-for in the second innings, Wisden writes, "In conditions far from favourable for him, Wasim Akram improved on his best Test figures for the second game running, with seven for 119. This time he was not terrifying or suddenly devastating, but persevering and continually testing; he collected his 20th wicket of the series and his second match award."

Thanks to some ill-advised shots from the top order, in reply to Zimbabwe's 375, Pakistan are facing embarrassment at 183 for 6 in Sheikhupura. Akram gets his head down and plays with the sort of application few think him capable of. During his innings of eight hours 10 minutes, he gives one chance, on 145. When the ball is flighted or overpitched, he drive powerfully and cleanly. Most of his 12 sixes, a record, go over the straight boundaries, 71 metres away. Akram's stand of 313 with Saqlain Mushtaq is the highest for the eighth wicket in Tests, and what looks likely to be a sizeable deficit is transformed into a lead of 178. Bad light on the fourth evening and rain the fifth morning cost Pakistan victory.

3 for 17 v West Indies, Carlton & United Series final, Melbourne, 1996-97

Pakistan are deserving World Series victors at the sixth attempt, but they need Akram to be at his unpredictable best in the second final. Pakistan bat and make just 165, but Akram has a different story to tell. He starts off with three wides, then makes Sherwin Campbell tread on his stumps next ball. From that point, he is all over the West Indians like a wasp, taking out Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper to end up with figures of 7-2-17-2.

6 for 61 and 5 for 49 v West Indies, Antigua, 2000

The damaging Justice Qayyum report has been published on the eve of the match, and it is also generally believed Akram is finished as a bowler. Not on the evidence of this Test, though. After Pakistan have been bowled out for 273, West Indies are headed for a big lead through a 134-run fourth-wicket stand. But Akram six wickets for four runs in 28 balls limit their advantage to a negligible four runs. Defending 215, his five-for, which takes him to his best match-haul, reduces West Indies to 197 for 9, but a combination of superb batting from Jimmy Adams, a few contentions decisions, and a few ordinary fielding efforts, let West Indies win by one wicket.